Metro

260 Escape Death As Plane Makes Emergency Return In Lagos

Published

4 months ago

January 18, 2026

No fewer than 260 passengers and crew escaped death on Friday when a Qatar Airways flight operating from Lagos to Doha made an emergency return to Lagos following a technical issue mid-air.

The aircraft, identified as Qatar Airways flight QR 1406, was forced to turn back shortly after take-off, triggering panic among passengers and prompting the rapid mobilisation of emergency responders at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident, describing it as a near-air mishap that was promptly and professionally handled.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) also confirmed the emergency landing, assuring that no injuries or fatalities were recorded.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency activated the state’s emergency response plans immediately after receiving distress alerts via its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines.

He explained that emergency operations were coordinated from LASEMA’s Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, while response teams were swiftly deployed to the airport.

“Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a passenger aircraft was distressed and had conducted an emergency landing,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

Preliminary investigations by LASEMA’s response teams revealed that the incident was caused by a technical fault experienced by the aircraft while airborne within Nigerian airspace.

The aircraft, which was fully loaded with 248 passengers and 12 crew members, landed safely on the runway at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. It was subsequently moved to the apron for further inspection.

“All passengers were safely evacuated, no injuries were recorded, and the incident did not result in any significant damage to the aircraft,” LASEMA added.

In a separate statement, Qatar Airways confirmed the incident, noting that the cockpit crew followed established safety procedures to ensure a safe landing.

“The cockpit crew followed established procedures and landed the aircraft safely. All passengers disembarked safely and are being taken care of on the ground. They will be booked on the next suitable flights to reach their destination as soon as possible,” the airline said.

Qatar Airways emphasised that the safety of its passengers and crew remains its highest priority, while apologising for any inconvenience caused by the incident.

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.